Mormons and Jews: Early Mormon Theologies of Israel

by Steven Epperson

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

238 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Christopher Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Epperson is insufficiently critical of early Mormon views of Judaism, devoting less than a paragraph to the anti-Jewish statements made by Joseph Smith. There are only a few such recorded statements, but their existence poses at challenge to Epperson's triumphalist narrative and should have been discussed at greater length. Among other things, Smith quoted Jesus's statement to “the Jews” that “Ye are of your father the devil.” Epperson thus idealizes early Mormon attitudes toward Jews in much the same way that mid-twentieth century historians idealized treatment of Jews by early American Protestants.

Having said that, Epperson makes a better case than I expected for his hypothesis that Smith was unusually pro-Jewish. Epperson successfully demonstrates that Smith not only sought out and listened closely to authentic Jewish voices, but also openly sympathized with Jewish thinkers who abhorred the idea of conversion to Christianity. While perhaps not consistently pro-Jewish throughout his life, Smith was at least more curious and open-minded about Judaism than most of his contemporaries in early America.